ISS023-E-57948
| NASA Photo ID | ISS023-E-57948 |
| Focal Length | 400mm |
| Date taken | 2010.05.25 |
| Time taken | 14:25:14 GMT |
Resolutions offered for this image:
1000 x 664 pixels 540 x 359 pixels 720 x 360 pixels 4256 x 2913 pixels 640 x 438 pixels
1000 x 664 pixels 540 x 359 pixels 720 x 360 pixels 4256 x 2913 pixels 640 x 438 pixels
Cloud masks available for this image:
Spacecraft nadir point: 8.9° S, 74.2° E
Photo center point:
Photo center point by machine learning:
Photo center point:
Photo center point by machine learning:
Nadir to Photo Center:
Spacecraft Altitude: 192 nautical miles (356km)
Country or Geographic Name: | INDIAN OCEAN |
Features: | ATMOSPHERIC LIMB, CLOUDS, SKYGLOW |
| Features Found Using Machine Learning: | PAN- |
Cloud Cover Percentage: | 75 (51-75)% |
Sun Elevation Angle: | -23° |
Sun Azimuth: | 289° |
Camera: | Nikon D3 Electronic Still Camera |
Focal Length: | 400mm |
Camera Tilt: | High Oblique |
Format: | 4256E: 4256 x 2832 pixel CMOS sensor, 36.0mm x 23.9mm, total pixels: 12.87 million, Nikon FX format |
Film Exposure: | |
| Additional Information | |
| Width | Height | Annotated | Cropped | Purpose | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 pixels | 664 pixels | No | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 540 pixels | 359 pixels | Yes | Yes | Earth From Space collection | Download Image |
| 720 pixels | 360 pixels | Yes | Yes | NASA's Earth Observatory web site | Download Image |
| 4256 pixels | 2913 pixels | No | No | Download Image | |
| 640 pixels | 438 pixels | No | No | Download Image |
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Image Caption: Sunset Seen from the International Space Station
This spectacular image of sunset on the Indian Ocean was taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The image presents an edge-on, or limb view, of the Earth's atmosphere as seen from orbit. The Earth's curvature is visible along the horizon line, or limb, that extends across the image from center left to lower right. Above the darkened surface of the Earth, a brilliant sequence of colors roughly denotes several layers of the atmosphere.
Deep oranges and yellows appear in the troposphere, which extends from the Earth's surface to 6-20 km high. This layer contains over 80 percent of the mass of the atmosphere and almost all of the water vapor, clouds, and precipitation. Several dark cloud layers are visible within this layer. Variations in the colors are due mainly to varying concentrations of either clouds or aerosols (airborne particles or droplets).
The pink to white region above the clouds appears to be the lower stratosphere; this atmospheric layer generally has few or no clouds, and it extends up to approximately 50 km above the Earth's surface. Above the stratosphere, blue layers likely mark the transition between the middle and upper atmosphere as it gradually fades into the blackness of outer space.
The ISS was located over the southern Indian Ocean when this picture was taken, with the astronaut looking towards the west. Astronauts aboard the ISS see 16 sunrises and sunsets per day due to their high orbital velocity (greater than 28,000 km per hour). The multiple chances for photography are fortunate because at that speed, each sunrise or sunset only lasts a few seconds!
This spectacular image of sunset on the Indian Ocean was taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The image presents an edge-on, or limb view, of the Earth's atmosphere as seen from orbit. The Earth's curvature is visible along the horizon line, or limb, that extends across the image from center left to lower right. Above the darkened surface of the Earth, a brilliant sequence of colors roughly denotes several layers of the atmosphere.
Deep oranges and yellows appear in the troposphere, which extends from the Earth's surface to 6-20 km high. This layer contains over 80 percent of the mass of the atmosphere and almost all of the water vapor, clouds, and precipitation. Several dark cloud layers are visible within this layer. Variations in the colors are due mainly to varying concentrations of either clouds or aerosols (airborne particles or droplets).
The pink to white region above the clouds appears to be the lower stratosphere; this atmospheric layer generally has few or no clouds, and it extends up to approximately 50 km above the Earth's surface. Above the stratosphere, blue layers likely mark the transition between the middle and upper atmosphere as it gradually fades into the blackness of outer space.
The ISS was located over the southern Indian Ocean when this picture was taken, with the astronaut looking towards the west. Astronauts aboard the ISS see 16 sunrises and sunsets per day due to their high orbital velocity (greater than 28,000 km per hour). The multiple chances for photography are fortunate because at that speed, each sunrise or sunset only lasts a few seconds!
